November is Diabetes Awareness Month, a month dedicated to providing resources and bringing attention to a condition that affects the lives of almost 600,000 Arizonans. In recognition of the month, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona has provided information and resources to help Arizonans better understand prediabetes.
What is pre-diabetes and how does it relate to the development of Type 2 diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes is characterized by insulin resistance, which occurs when the body’s cells are unable to react to insulin properly. In other words, the body is not able to break down food into energy, resulting in too much sugar in the blood.
“Pre” means “before,” so prediabetes is what it sounds like; a health condition that occurs before type 2 diabetes develops. It happens when blood sugar (or glucose) levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes.
How common is prediabetes?
Although a simple blood test can help identify the condition, most don’t know they have it because symptoms are often undetectable. According to the Arizona Department of Health Services, an estimated one in three Arizonans live with prediabetes. Prediabetes may be common – but the great news is that it’s also reversible! The risk of prediabetes developing into type 2 diabetes can be cut by more than half through healthy lifestyle changes.
Did you know?
- The first step to reversing prediabetes is knowing your risk. Examples of risk factors for prediabetes include being overweight, having a parent or sibling with type 2 diabetes, being physically active less than 3 times a week, and having a previous gestational diabetes diagnosis (diabetes during pregnancy). Take this quick online test to find out your risk for prediabetes. For scores 5+, it is recommended to follow up with your healthcare provider to discuss and undergo testing.
- Prediabetes usually has no symptoms. You’ll need a blood test to know for sure if you have it. Talk to your healthcare provider about getting your blood sugar tested.
- Being diagnosed with prediabetes doesn’t mean that you’ll definitely develop type 2 diabetes.
- Changes in diet and exercise habits, combined with weight loss, can reverse prediabetes and progression to diabetes. For those with prediabetes, 5-7% weight loss in addition to regular exercise can reduce your risk of developing diabetes by 58% (71% for people over 60 years old), according to the CDC.
- Incorporating regular physical activity increases your body’s sensitivity to insulin, lowering blood sugar levels and reducing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Aim for 150 minutes of moderate exercise, like brisk walking, each week. That’s just 30 minutes a day, five days a week!
- Research has shown that drinking sugary drinks is linked to type 2 diabetes. The American Diabetes Association recommends that people avoid drinking sugar-sweetened beverages (like soda, sweet tea, and energy drinks) and switch to water whenever possible.
Concerned about prediabetes or diabetes?
Work with your healthcare provider to create a personalized health plan that supports you wherever you are in your health journey.
Visit Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona’s diabetes website to learn more about prevention and management: https://www.azblue.com/diabetes
